Leadership Tips: Walk Your Talk…Now

I’m constantly intrigued by what makes leaders the most effective. We talk with leaders constantly. A couple weeks ago, a Harvard Business Review article came out about the most important leadership competencies according to leaders around the world. When 195 global leaders were asked to rate 74 qualities, the number one was strong ethics and safety, meaning a leader has high ethical and moral standards. 67% said this was the most important quality to great leadership. To put it simply: Walk your talk. Don’t do something that you don’t believe in.

To quote the piece, “This competency is all about behaving in a way that is consistent with your values. If you find yourself making decisions that feel at odds with your principles or justifying actions in spite of a nagging sense of discomfort, you probably need to reconnect with your core values.”

I think about one of my first managers who would always ask me: What decision most aligns with you? I remember thinking – What the heck? What do you mean aligns with me? I wanted to make the best decision. Just tell me what IT IS. Stop putting me through this (ha).

I had no idea how lucky I was to be asked those questions early in my career. Some of us work our whole lives and are never asked. It is a tough question, because a lot of times with decision-making, you want to take into account others. Take into account how others perceive you. Take into account what’s at stake when you say “this” or “that”.

Now is the time to take a stand for your beliefs and make decisions accordingly. This week’s tip is to do what you say you will do.

Don’t look outside of yourself in the days ahead. Yes, you really do know… now just walk your talk.